The key challenge was to modernize the UX/UI of the MIND Events section on the RBC Direct Investor homepage, addressing user feedback that the content felt hidden and lacked appeal. The goal was to answer the critical question: "How can enhanced functionality drive client engagement and encourage deeper research?" To tackle this, we developed new designs with added functionality, focusing on two main approaches: an “Events” view and a “Calendar” view. These solutions aimed to make the section more visually engaging and valuable to clients, transforming it into a central feature of the platform.

A user test was launched to have existing RBC Direct Investing clients view the new potential design of the homepage, which asks questions specifically targeted towards “Notable Events this Week. The goal of our user test was primarily focused on what version of the MIND events would clients prefer, the “Events” view or the “Calendar” view. 75% of users for "Events" view, while the other 25% were for the "Calendar" view. Throughout the testing, no users mentioned they were familiar with seeing similar types of events/information within the current homepage.

“Performance” was most valuable to users (Rating 1)
- When asked what information was most valuable to users (when monitoring a holding and getting ready to make an investment decision), the most mentioned area was Performance. Users also mentioned Earnings would be important when making an investment decision.

Good understanding of information/features (Rating 0)
- Users demonstrated a good understanding of information and features found within the section; recognized the purpose of “Notable Events this week” was to keep them informed on what is happening with their holdings/watchlist items and understood the different categories.

User testing and feedback led to prioritizing the "Events" view as the main focus of the redesign, supported by strong ratings and stakeholder alignment. The creation of a new MIND Events homepage positioned this feature as a central element, with enhanced access to five-day trading events to boost user interaction and deepen research. Iterating during Phase One allowed for further exploration of functionality, which extended benefits beyond the "Recent Events" section to other areas, such as "Detailed Quote" pages and the "Alerts" section, ensuring a more cohesive and engaging user experience.

In the second phase of this project, the "Recent Events Driving Your Holdings" section was given greater prominence on the homepage to enhance visibility and usability. Advocated by the RBC Product Owner and Director, this redesign aimed to boost interaction by 30%, increasing the user base from 30,000 to 40,000 by catering to both novice and experienced users. The addition of personalization and mobile capabilities further elevated the experience, ensuring this feature became a central and valuable component of the platform.

To elevate the "Recent Events Driving Your Holdings" section, I identified several key functionalities that could improve user engagement and provide greater value. These enhancements aimed to create a more intuitive and interactive experience while addressing user needs for better insights and accessibility. The proposed features included:

To enhance "Recent Events" without impacting homepage real estate, I designed a responsive drawer that worked seamlessly across all breakpoints and simplified development. This scalable solution provided a dedicated space for detailed event insights, including filtering options, interactive visuals, and glossary access. RBC embraced the design for its ability to improve user engagement and deliver a streamlined, dynamic experience. Here are the features included:

While designing the desktop version, I simultaneously developed a mobile-friendly version to ensure consistency and scalability across all breakpoints. I created responsive components and assets that reduced developer workload while maintaining full functionality for users. The mobile version retained the familiar MIND Events features but was adapted to a full-screen drawer format for smaller screens. This design preserved ease of use and intuitive navigation, ensuring that users could seamlessly engage with the platform, whether on mobile or desktop, without sacrificing accessibility or functionality. The mobile functionality maintains the familiarity of the desktop version while offering smooth, optimized experiences tailored to smaller screens:

To streamline the creation of the "Recent Events" section, I created a specification document in Figma that outlined all assets, design elements, and rules for development. The document covered key components, spacing, interactions, edge cases, and zero states, ensuring developers could handle all scenarios effectively. I also provided guidelines for consistent asset usage and coordinated translations to ensure content accessibility across languages. Additionally, I led learning sessions to bring the development team up to speed on using Figma efficiently, resulting in a faster, more accurate build process with easily accessible design assets and clear instructions.